Several polls paint a discouraging picture for the Democrats, who continue to be hurt by Obama's weak showing in the first debate. Why the president is rooting for the Redskins.

Early in this election cycle, President Obama's campaign team gambled that he would run fast on a sloppy track; so it engaged in relentless mud-slinging. Obama did run well for the first few furlongs, but his momentum slowed when he turned into the final stretch. Challenger Mitt Romney, who is no stranger to mud-slinging himself, has been coming on strong. He's got the "Big Mo"—momentum. As the contenders sprint to the wire, Romney looks closer to the finish line by a nose.